The Blackhawks allowed four goals through the first two period which Jarred Tinordi stated started to make the team play with a loosen style during the matchup instead of staying tight. With that, it caused 10 turnovers to give the Capitals more chances.
"I think we need to tighten up and simplify our game a little bit," Tinordi said. "I think we're kind of circling too much and kind of given pucks away, and I think the way we had success earlier was just more of a north south game."
Johnson noted that some players started to change the way they play throughout the night that can make things challenging during a tough situation similar to this final. With lines constantly changing and plays shifting, it can make their structure fall out of order, especially as they continue to find their groove with new teammates.
"To get back in the game, it's not changing the way you're playing," Johnson said. "You have to play the same way, no matter what [throughout] 60 minutes. There's a reason why we want to play that way. At least it's not for a lack of trying, but at the same time, you got to do it within your structure and within the team and play together, especially right now."
With structures down, it also made the Blackhawks chase the puck more throughout the contest. Even with some improvement throughout the team's five power play opportunities, the team simply couldn't capitalize and created a new focus for head coach Luke Richardson to emphasize on heading into their next contest against the Minnesota Wild.
"I thought in the third period, our power play was better," head coach Luke Richardson said. "We had some chances, but we still couldn't strike there. It's just something to talk about moving forward just to make sure we stick together with the game plan, otherwise, it unravels pretty quickly."
